Viscosimeter



Aug. 8,. 1939.

J. M. BELL VISGOSIMETER Filed Aug. 11, 1936 8 Sheets-Sheet 1 3mm: JOHN M. BELL- w, Mn

Aug. 8, 1939.

J. M. BELL VISGOSIMETE 1936 8 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 11

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s Sheets-Sheet 1' Filed Aug. 11, 1956 gums/144011. JOHN M. BELL Gum Aug. 8, '1939.

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[UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,168,386 vrscosmm'mn' v John M. Bell, Chester, S. C. I Application August 11, 1936, Serial No. 95,444-

4 Claims. (01. 265-11) This invention relates to a means for testing viscous substances such as oils, starches,-sizing, coating compositions, drugs and the like, and more especially to means for testing these substances while the same is under a constant flow.

Heretofore various means for testing the viscosity of substances have been provided but I have provided means whereby a viscosity testing apparatus can be installed in a line carrying the substances for testing the same without materially obstructing the flow. In many instances, while under manufacture, it is very essential that a constant check be kept upon the viscosity so that a uniform finished product can be obtained. To accomplish this result, in most instances, it is necessary to test the same with apparatus which requires a good bit of human skill and experience. The present apparatus eliminatesto a great ex-, tent the human element and provides means which are purely mechanical for determining and registering the viscosity, thereby insuring uniform. and accurate results. M

It is therefore, an object of thisinvention to provide means for testing the viscosity of a substance which means is capable of being installed in series or are parallel in a. pipe line through which the substance to be tested flows, and means for registering and recordingthe' viscosity count of the substance.

line l'l in Figured;

It is another object of this invention to provide a mechanical means for testing the viscosity of a substance while under flow, with means for visibly indicating the viscosity count of said substance.

Some of the objects of the invention, having been stated, other objects will appear as the description proceeds, when taken in connection withthe accompanying drawings, in which:'

Figure 1 is aside elevationof one form of the. invention;

Figure 2 is a side elevation of a reverse side of Figure 1; I v I Figure 3 is a plan view of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a verticalsectional view taken along line 4-4 in Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a sectional 5 5 in Figure 4;

Figure 6 is an enlarged .detail view of the lower portion of the testing means in FigureS showingthe parts in a slightly different position; v

Figure '7 is a sectional plan view taken along portion of the view taken along line Figure 8 is a schematic wiring diagram of the apparatus; o 1

line 20-40 in'Figure 11;

lower side'of member I! is Figure 9 is a plan view showing a modified form of the invention; Figure 10 is a side elevation of Figure 9, looking at the lower side of Figure 9; r Figure 11 is an elevation of the reverse side of Figure 10;

Figure 12 is a vertical sectional view. taken along line I 2- in Figure 9;

Figure 13 is a vertical sectional view taken along line l3-i3 in Figure 9; U

Figure 14 is a sectional view taken along line H- -l4 in-Figure 13;

Figure 15 is an enlarged detail view of the lower portion of Figure liwith the parts shown in'a slightly different position;

Figure- 16 is a sectional line IG-IG in Figure 11;

Figure 17 is a sectional plan view taken along line lI-ll in Figure 11; v e

Figure 18 is a sectional line l8- -l8 in Figure 11;

Figure 19 is a sectional line Iii-l9 in Figure 11;

Figure 20 is a sectional 18 plan view taken along plan view taken along plan view taken along Figure 21 is a vertical sectional view taken along line 2|2l in Figu're' l1;

Figure 22 is a schematic wiring diagram showing the means for regulating and operating the viscosity indicating and regulating means;

Figure 23 is a schematic diagram showing the invention operating in conjunction with a system and also showing the necessary wiring connected with the indicating means for controlling-the viscosity of the substance within certain ranges. Referring more specifically to the drawings, the numeral I 0 indicates a suitable base member upon which supports ll are mounted,- the upper end of said-supports having a plane supporting member I! secured thereon. Suspended from the i 1 a motor l3 having a motor shaft ll, which shaft has a worm l5 mounted on the end thereof: Oneend of motor. shaft 14 is rotatably mounted in housing 16 which housing is also secured to the lower side of the member 12. Housing I6 has a transversely disposed shaft Ii rotatably mounted therein and this shaft has fixedly secured thereto a pinion i8 which is adapted to mesh with worm 15 at all times. a I Fixedly secured on shaft l1 are grooved pulleys 20 and 2| (Figs. 2 and 7), which are used for driving suitable mechanism, to be later described. The end of the shaft I1 is rotatably mounted in plan view taken along 20.

a plate 22 which, in turn, is secured to-the member l2.

Mounted on groovedpulley is a coil-spring belt 23 which projects upwardly through a slot 24 in member |2 and is also mounted upon another grooved pulley 25. Pulley 25 is fixedly secured upon a shaft 26 which is rotatably mounted in a hub member21 of cover 28. The cover 28 forms a part of a test chamber which is broadly indicated by reference characters 29. The test chamber 29 comprises the cover 28, an annular member 36 and another cover member 3| which is similar in many respects to cover member 28. These three members are secured together by suitable means such as bolts 32 which penetrate all three members. The substance to be tested is adapted to enter the chamber 29 through hose 35 and thence downwardly into pipe 36 which pipe has the lower end thereof connected to a T-member 31, one end of said T-member communicating with the inside of the chamber and the other end having a suitable petcock 38 (Fig. 3), secured thereon in order that portions of the substance may be withdrawn from the chamber or from the pipe line through which it is constantly flowing as desired. The substance is adapted to escape from. the chamber through pipe 40 which has secured to the. end thereof a hose 4|. The object in providing hose members 35 and 4| is to have a flexible connection in the pipe line so that the angularity of the chamber may be varied more easily.

It will be noted by referring to Figures 1, 2 and 4, that the lower portion of chamber 29 has secured thereto suitable plate brackets 42 which are pivotally secured as at 43 to other brackets 44, said other brackets being mounted on the top of member |2.

In order to maintain the chamber in an adjusted position, a plate is secured to the,

upper portion of chamber 29, and a link 5| is pivoted as at 52 to the plate. The lower end of link 5| has a bolt 53 penetrating a hole in the end thereof which bolt also penetrates a suitable slot 54 in a bracket member 55. When the chamber 29 has been placed at the desired angle relative to the pivot point 43, a wing nut 56 which is threadably secured on the end of bolt 53, is screwed home and the ,parts are clamped in the desired position.

When motor I3 is in operation the shaft 26 will revolve constantly in a clockwise direction in Figures 2' and 4. This shaft extends to the interior of chamber 29 and has fixedly secured on the end thereof a double-ended finger member 60, which member has reversely bent prongs 6| and 62 on its ends.

As shaft 26 rotates, the prongs 6| and 62 are adapted to pass through slots 63and 64 in the hollow testing tube 65. The ends of this tube are partially closed and a suitable ball 66 is confined therein. This tube is fixedly secured upon another shaft. 61 which shaft is rotatably mounted in hub member 68 of the cover 3|. The

I hub 68 has secured thereto a disk 10 which is stationary and serves as a support for various mechanisms which will be presently described. The shaft '61 also has fixedly mounted thereon a bracket 1| (Figs. 1 and 3), in which are rotatably mounted rollers 13 and 14. A' bar 15 is pivoted as at 16 tothe disk 10 and its free end normally rests on the top of the rollers 13 and 14 to hold them in the position shown in Figure 1, or else in a position when shaft 61 is rotated 180 degrees from the position shown in Figure 1.

In order to exert the desired pressure of bar 15 upon the rollers 13 and 14 a tension spring 11 is provided.

Fixedly secured on the end of shaft 61 is a wheel 19 which is made of any suitable insulating material. A metallic bar is mounted in the periphery of the wheel 19 and this bar is disposed parallel to the longitudinal axis of the wheel in order that contact may be made between brushes 8| and 82 at-theproper time. These brushes are fixedly secured to a bracket 83, which, in turn, is mounted on disk 10.

It should be understood that the substance I The hollow pipe member 65, when at rest,

maintains a position such-as shown in Figure 4,

or in the position where the ends are turned end for end or at degrees from this position. When it is desired to test the viscosity of the substance which completely fills and is constantly flowing through this chamber the motor |3 is put into operation thereby causing the member 60 to rotate in a clockwise manner, in Figure 4, at any, desired speed but preferably between thirtyandforty R. P. M. When this is done the reversely bent prongs 6| and 62 will pass'through slots 63 and 64 in member 65. When one of these prongs engages the ball 66, after the ball has reached the lower end'of this member, the member 65 is turned end for end or 180 degrees from the position shown in Figure 4, at which time the shaft 61, to which this member is secured, is also rotated 180 degrees and the bar 15 is caused to rest on the reverse side of the rollers 13 and 14 to holdthe shaft in the proper position. At the same time the wheel 19 is rotatedmetallic bar 80 on the upper side of wheel 19 to break the circuit and stop the counting mechanism.

During the succeeding descent of the ball, that is, when the metallic bar 80 is on top of the wheel 19, the counting mechanism is inoperative.

It is therefore, seen that the viscosity is taken on every other descent of the ball 66.

It should be noted that the shafts 26 and 61 are disposed slightly off center relative to the center of the test chamber. This is done in order.

to allow the prongs 6| or 62 to become disengaged from the ball 66 by the time the pipe 65 has been rotated approximately 180 degrees. Figure 4 shows the path of rotation of the ends of the respective members and itis here seen that when the ball 66 has been rotated nearly 180 degrees from the position shown in this figure, that the reversely bent point 6| or 62 which.

happens to be in engagement with the ball 66 will automatically be released from the ball to allow the ball to start its descent. It is further seen by referring to Figure 4 that the ends of the bore within the member 65 have stepped portions or notches 66a and 66b. These cut-away portions or notches are formed in order to give the ball 66 an added velocity or drop when it nears the completion of its downward travel so that the travel of the ball will be faster and will quickly obstruct the path of travel of the projections 6i and 62.

The brush 8i has connected thereto a wire 90 which leads to one side of a magnet 9I. The

other side of the magnet has a wire 92 (Fig. 8) leading therefrom which is also connected to a brush 93, said brush 93 normally contacting a wheel 94 which is fixedly secured on a shaft 95. Shaft 95 is rotatably mounted in brackets 95 and 91 which are suspended from the lower side of member I2. The wheel 94 is made of any suitable non-conductive material and has disposed in the periphery-thereof parallel to its longitudinal axis,

a metallic bar 99 which is adapted to make contact between brush 93 and its adjacent brush I00 as the wheel 94 rotates. Brushes 93 and I00 are secured to non-conductive bars I M and I 02 respectively, which bars are in turn secured to supports I03, and I04 and these supportsare suspended from the lower side of member I2.

Shaft 95 and its associated parts are rotated constantly since the shaft 95 has a grooved pulley IIO on the end thereof with a belt III mounted thereon for driving the.same. The belt III is mounted on constantly driven pulley 2I mounted on shaft I'I. a

Leading from brush I02 is a wire II3 which wire has the other end thereof connected to a suitable battery I I4. Leading from the other side of said battery is a wire II5 which hasits other Y end connected to brush 82 to complete the circuit.

By referring to Figure 8 it is evident that when the brushes 8| and 82 are not contacting bar. 80 that acircuit cannot be closed .even though the bar 99 makes a circuit between brushes 93 and I02 each time shaft 95 rotates; however, when bar 80 is disposed on the lower side of the wheel 19 a circuit is made between brushes 8I and 82, and then the circuit is completed intermittently, that is, each time shaft 95 makes a revolution. In

the present apparatus the wheel I9 remains in the position shown in Figures 3 and 8 approximately one half of the time, and the other half of the time, the bar 80 is disposed on the lower sideof the cylinder and connects the brushes 8i and 82.

It is during the time that the bar is on the lower side of the wheel that the-recording means is actuated by the completion of the circuit between brushes 93 and I02- Extending from one end of member I2 is brack- .et I (Fig. 3), in which is pivoted as at I2I a lever I22. This lever I22 has secured in one end thereof a marking mechanism I23 which is adapted to contain a sufiicient amount of. ink or other fluid, for making a mark or dot each time the same-is actuated over an appreciable length of time. The other end of lever I22 is of soft iron and is disposed opposite one end of magnet 9| so that each time the shaft 95 rotates and causes, the circuit to be closed between brushes 93 and I02, the end of lever I22 is drawn into contact with magnet 9|. Of course this is based upon the assumption that a circuit is also completed between brushes 8| and 82 by means of bar 80.

' When the magnet 9I draws the end of lever I22 into contact therewith it is evident that the end of the marking means .will be drawn into contact with tape I25 which is being constantly unwound from tape roll I26; said tape roll being rotatably mounted on bracket I21,

Compression spring I24 is placed around stop pin I24a. This pin I24a' limits the counter-' clockwise rotation of lever I22 and the spring I24 restores the lever to normal position when the contact between brushes 93 and I02 is broken.

The tape is drawn downwardly over an arm-- ate pla'te I28 by means of rollers I29 and I30,

said rollers being rotatably mounted in brackets I32 (Fig. 2). Roller I29 has a shaft I33 extending therefrom (Fig. 7) on the end of which is fixedly secured a grooved pulley I34. 'The pulley has a belt I35 mounted thereon, which belt is also mbunted upon a smaller grooved pulley I36 which is fixedly secured on the end of constantly driven shaft 95. It is therefore, seen that the rollers I29 and I39 will slowly draw the tape I25 downwardly over plate I28 and each time magnet 9I is energized the marking means I23 will engage the tape I25 and record a dot on the tape I25. I

' The number of dots which are recorded upon this tape during the descent of the ball 66 within the tube 65, will indicate the viscosity count.- of

the substance which is being tested. This tape is preferably graduated into minutes and seconds and is driven so a section representing a minute will pass by the marker in exactly one minute, so thenumber of dots within a minute space will represent the viscosity of the fluid.

another cover plate I41, all of which are bolted prises cover platev I45, annular member I46 and 1 together by suitable means such as bolts I48 penetrating all threepf said members. The sub stance to be tested is forced into the inside of the chamber I43 through pipe I50. entrance of this pipe I50 into the chamber also the upper portion ofth test chamber I43 are The point of 45 serves as the pivot point about which'the test.

' chamber is adapted to be adiusted. Secured near plates I52 to which are pivoted as at I53, a pair of links I54, said links extending downwardly and being adjustably secured to the base member I40 by any suitable means such as bolts I55, which penetrate suitable spaced holes I56 in the links I54. The angle of adjustment of the test chamber is determined by the viscosity of the material being tested. For high viscosity the chamber would be swung to the right in Figure 10, and for substances having lo viscosity the chamber would be swung to the left.

As has been previously stated, the material to.

be tested fio'ws'into the chamber I43 at the inlet I42as shown in Figures 11 and 13, and completely fills the chamber. This same material. escapes from the chamber through pipe I60 to which a flexible hose I5I is connected. Theinternal mechanism for testing the viscosity of the substance while flowing through the chamber, is similar in many respects to the mechanism shown in Figures 1 to 8 inclusive; however, in this case, it will be noted that the means for releasing the ball upon rotation of the testing tubeis slightly different. v e

The cover plate I41 has rotatably'mounted therein a shaft I62, which shaft has a pulley I83 fixedly mounted on one end thereof which is ber I43. This finger member I64 has outstanding projections I65 and I66 integral therewith which are adapted to traverse slots I61 and I68 in the testing tube I69. The testing tube I69 has a ball I10 loosely mounted therein which is adapted to be engaged by the projections I65 and I66 after it has descended to its lowermost position in the tube. Then the tube and the ball will be turned one-half revolution. The testing tube I69 is fixedly secured to shaft "I, which is rotatably mounted in cover plate I45. This shaft has fixedly secured thereon a supporting bracket I12 which bracket has rotatably mounted in the ends thereof rollers I13 and I14 (Figs. 9 and 12). These rollers are normally contacted at all times by the lower side of a lever I15 which is pivoted as at I16 toa plate I11, said plate, in turn, being secured to cover plate- I45. A tension spring I18 normally presses the free end of lever I15 against the upper peripheries of rollers I 13 and I14 to hold shaft HI and the test tube I69 in the position shown'in Figure 13.

The ball I10, when in its lowermost position, rests against the interior surface of annular ring I46. When this is the case the center of the ball I10 is slightly below the'center line of slot I61 or I68, depending upon which slot is in the lowermost position. It is quiteevident that when member I64 rotates, one of the projections I65 or I66 will contact the ball slightly above its center thereby preventing the ball from moving upwardly within the test tube I69; (Fig. 15) consequently, the ball will slide against the inner periphery of ring I46 and carry along with it the test tube I69 until the test tube has been rotated approximately 180 degrees. At the time the ball I 10 will ride upon a cam plate I80 which has its ends secured on the interior of ring I46, (Figs. 13 and 14), and this plate'will force the ball I10.

- downwardly in the tube so that the projection I65 or I 66 will not contact the same, when the finger overtakes the testing tube. The testing tube, shortly after passing horizontal position,

jumps ahead of the constantly moving finger .under the influence of spring I18 and therefore, ball I10 will be started on its travel by cam I before finger point I 65 or I66 reaches the slot I61 or I68. If the ball should, for any reason, not start its travel, then cam I80 would have moved it far enough for the prong on the finger to engage the ball above its dead center and start it on its travel.

By providing an arrangement of this possible to have the shafts I62 and HI concentrically mounted relative to the center of chamber I43; whereas, in the form shown in Figures 1 to 8 inclusive, it was necessary to ofi-set these centers to allow the ball to be released at the propertime. The ball has somewhat of a piston action in its descent and forces practically all of the'liquid from the tube, allowing: another sample to enter from the other end., In this case, as in the form shown in Figures 1 to 8 inclusive, the viscosity counts will begin immediately upon the test tube coming ,to rest and the count will continue until the ball has reached the lowermost position at which time it will be engaged by one of the prongs I65 or I66 to cause the test tube to be rotated 180 degrees thereby closing the counting. period. During the next descent of the ball the viscosity reading will not 5 type it is be taken as it is necessary to use every other descent for adjusting and restoring the various parts in the mechanism to their proper position.

Although the ends of plate I80 are secured to the interior periphery of the ring I46, the central portions are not secured and this portion is contacted by the end of a set screw I8I which can be screwed inwardly to cause the plate to occupy either a closer or a,.more remote-position with relation to the, ends of the test tube I69.

In order to provide an oil-tight joint between the shaft I62 and the cap plate I41 a compression spring I is placed around shaft I62 between the cover plate I41 and the pulley I63, (Fig. 9).

The shaft l1I has a restricted shaft I86 integral therewith which projects outwardly and is rotatably mounted in disk I81. The disk I81 is made of any suitable insulating material and is supported by a strap I89 which, in turn, is secured to the cover plate I45 by means of supports I90 and I9I'." In order to provide an oil-tight joint between the shafts HI and plate I45 a compression spring I is disposed on the outer end of the restricted shaft I86 with one end thereof resting against strap I89, (Figs. '9. and 14). The other end is adapted to rest against a washer I96 to normally force the shafts I86 and HI longitudinally of their axes and away from the plate I45 to cause the enlarged hub portion of the shaft IN to fit tightly against the interior surface of plate I45.

The position of the testing tube I69, when at rest, is'essentially that shown in Figure 13, or in a position rotated degrees therefrom. The rollers I13 and I14 along with bar I15 normally maintain this test tube in its position while the testing is taking place. If it is desired to clean out the test tube and remove the ball therefrom, it is. only necessary to remove a plug 200 from the annular member I46 and remove the ball in order that a suitable instrument may be inserted within the tube to clean the same. Also, suitable plugs, such as 20Iv are located in the side of test chamber I43 which may be removed in order to gain access to the interior of the chamber.

In actual operation, it should be noted that shaft I62 is constantly rotating whereas, the shaft I1I onlyrotates at intervals that is, when projection I65 or I66 engages the ball I10 and when this is done the shaft is rotated only 180 degrees ,until the ball is released.

Therefore, it is necessary to provide on this shaft a suitable drum such as 205 with various contacts thereon for controlling the recording and able insulating material and has a metallic ring 206, (Fig. 22), disposed along the entire circumference thereof near one edge of the drum. Upon this ring, a suitable brush 201 is adapted to rest at all times which is connected to a suitable-supply of current from an outside source. Adjacent this ring is a short metallic band which extends around a very short portion of the circumference of the drum, and this is indicated by reference character 209. A brush) 2 I0 is adapted to contact this band at- ,certain intervals to operate the counting or recording mechanism to cause the counts to be recorded after the descent of the ball has been made.

Disposed adjacent member 209 is a still shorter segmental band 2I2 in the periphery of member 205. When this segment is in the position shown in Figures 9 and 22, a brush 2I3 is adapted to normallycontact it and operate the clutch mechanism to cause the clutch to be engaged. When a constant speed. 1

the cylinder 205 has been rotated degrees from the position shown in Figures 9 and 22, a brush 2| 4. is adapted to contact the segment 2I2 which will operate the restoring mechanism to cause the counting mechanism to be returned to its initial position to begin a new count when the ball I10 starts its descent. The clutch is automatically released when segment 2l2 moves from beneath brush 2 l3. The clutch mechanism, the recording mechanism and the restoring mechanism will be later described and their relation to the segment on drum 205 will be pointed out.

Abelt 2| 1 which is made of any elastic material, but preferably of a coil wire spring, is mounted upon pulley I63, (Figs. 9 and 10), and also upon another pulley 2 I8, which pulley is fixedly secured upon stud shaft 2 l9. The stud shaft 2 l 9 is located upon the same center as the pivot point of the chamber I43, and is secured to one side of the bracket I41 which is disposed on the near side of plate I41, (Fig. 10). Another pulley 220 is secured upon shaft 2l9 which has a belt 22! mounted thereon. This belt is also mounted upon another pulley 222 which is fixedly secured upon shaft 223. Shaft 223 is rotatably mounted in bearings 224 and 225 (Figs. 9 and 11) which bearings are mounted on top of base plate 226.

Fixedly secured intermediate the bearings 224 and 225 on shaft 223 is a gear 230 which is adapted to mesh with a worm 23l on motor shaft 232. The end of motor shaft 232 is rotatably mounted in down-turned portion 235 of plate 236. This shaft extends to motor 231 and is driven thereby. It is thus seen that the rotation of the motor will drive shaft I62 and finger member I64 at a The indicating mechanism is operated by motor 231 simultaneously with the operation of the testing mechanism which has been described. The driving means for the indicating system comprises'a worm 240 fixedly secured on the end of shaft 223. This worm meshes with gear 24!! which is fixedly secured on vertically disposed shaft 242; said shaft 242 having its lower end rotatably mounted in base plate 226 and its upper, end extending upwardly through various pinion's and ratchets; (Fig. 21).

The plate 236 is supported by suitable columns 243 and disposed on top of plate 236 are other columns 245 which support another plate 246 thereabove. I

The shaft 242 has fixedly secured thereto a T-shaped' member 241 which has upwardly projecting pins 248 disposed therein on each side of the-shaft, (Fig. 21). These pins are adapted to slidably penetrate holes inthe lower horizontally disposed portion 252 of an I-shaped member 250 which is rotatably and slidably mounted on shaft 242. Member 250 has integral with the upper portion thereof an L-shaped member 255 which member is adapted to engage the teeth in ratchet 268 when it is desired to connect the indicating means with the driving means. In order to raise or lower the member 259 a suitable peripheral groove has been cut around the intermediate portion thereof in which the forked end 296, which in turn, standing legs of brackets'2911.

in Figure 11, a pin 263 has been provided, and

a compression spring 264- has been placed around this pin to normally rotate the lever .255 in a clockwise direction in Figure 11,. and thereby force the clutch into a disengaged position when solenoid 262 is not energiz The solenoid 262 as a wire 266 leading therefrom, the other end of this wire being connected to brush 2l3. When the drum 205 is in the position shown in Figures 9- and-22, the ball I10 is descending from its uppermost position within the tube I69 during which time the brush 253 is contacting the metallic segment 2l2 to furnish current to the solenoid 262. Since this solenoid will be energized the armature 26l will be pulled downwardly thereby rotating lever 255 in a counter-clockwise manner in Figure 11, to cause the L-shaped member 25l to move upwardly and engage ratchet member 268. Ratchet member 268 is integral with a hub member. 269, said hub member having integral with the upper portion thereof another ratchet 210. (Figs. 11, '18 and 19.)

The ratchet 210 has a pin 2" extending upwardly from the upper surface thereof which is adapted to be forced against a hooked stop member 212, when the parts arerestored to normal projects upwardly from plate 236. This pin has a washer 218 fixedly secured thereto, to which one end of a torsion spring 219 is secured; said torsion spring being placed around the intermediate portion of pin 211 and having its other end secured to the lower surface of spool 216. The stop member 212 is mounted on top of pin 213 which projects upwardly from plate 236.

The ratchet 210 is adapted to be normally engaged by a, dog 290, (Figs. 10 and 18), said dog being pivotally mounted around pin 2!" which is disposed between plates 246 and 236. A tension spring 292 normally holds the dog 290 into engagement with ratchet/210 and prevents any reverse rotation of the ratchet due to the constant pull exerted by spool 215. The dog 290 also has secured thereto a link or cord 296 which is also secured to the upper end of bell crank lever 295. The lever 295 is mounted for oscillation on pin is secured in the vertical up- The horizontal leg of lever 295has a cord 298 secured thereto which extends downwardly and is connected to the upper end of an armature 299, (Figs. 9, i0, i8 and 22). This armature is actuated by solenoid 302 which, when energized, will pull the armature 299 downwardly and cause the free end of dog 290 to be pulled outwardly from engagement with the ratchet 21d and thereby allow the teninstead, the parts are being returned to need position in order that another count may be made after the shaft HI and testing tube I69 have been rotated an additional 180 degrees to cause the metallic portion 2 I 2 to assume the position shown in the drawings. When the current is supplied to solenoid 300 through brush 2M the ratchet 210 is restored to its initial position so that another viscosity count can be started. Rotatably mounted on the upper end of shaft 242 is another hub member 301 having a ratchet member 308 integral with the lower portion thereof. (Figs. 10, 11, and 17). end thereof secured to the hub member 301 and wrapped therearound, and has its other end wrapped around spool member 3I0 and secured thereto. The purpose of this cord is to normally exert a tension upon the. hub member 301 to cause it to tend to rotate in a counter-clockwise manner in Figure 17. The construction of spool 3I0 and its associated parts is identical in all respects to the construction of the spool 216. The spool 3I0 is loosely mounted on the upper end of pin 3 extending upwardly from plate 236. A washer 3I2 is fixedly secured to the pin 3 and a torsion spring 3I8 is mounted around the pin 3I I and disposed between the washer 3I2 and the spool 3I0 with the ends of the torsion spring being secured to the washer and spool respectively. A dog 3l5 normally engages the teeth in ratchet member 308 to hold the same in the position in which it might be placed. This dog is pivotally mounted around pin 29I, and a tension spring 3I1 normally holds the dog 3l5 in engagement with the ratchet.

Projecting below the lower side of ratchet 308 is a pin 3I9 which travels on the same radius with respect to shaft 242 as the pin 21I which is disposed therebelow in plate 210. When the viscosity count is started the clutch is connected and immediately thereafter the ratchet 210 starts to turn in a clockwise manner in Figure 18. The pin 21! in this ratchet then engages the downwardly extending pin 3 I 9 in ratchet 308 which will cause pinion 308 to rotate along with the pinion 210 until the viscosity count has been completed. Since the upper end of the hub 301 has secured thereon an indicator 320 it is evident that the pin 21I during its rotation, will rotate the pin 3I 9 and the ratchet 308 around the upper end of shaft 242 to cause the indicating hand 320 to be rotated to the proper position relative to the dial 32L If, for any reason, the viscosity upon a second or successive count, is not equal to the viscosity of the preceding count-then the pin 2" will not be rotated far enough to engage the pin 3I9; therefore, at the end of the count, the hand will not have been actuated by themovement of ratchet 210. Therefore, it is necessary that means be provided upon the completion of the count for causing the ratchet 308 and the indicator 320 to move backwardly far enough so that pin 3I9 will contact the pin 2" in order that the actual viscosity count will beindicat'ed by the hand 320 on dial 32I. It is necessary for this backward movement of the upper ratchet 308 to take place prior to the release of the lower ratchet 210, that is, prior to the time "when this lower ratchet is returned to normal position. Therefore, immediately after the viscosity count has been completed and the ratchet 210 has ceased rotation, the dog 3l5 (Fig. 1'1) is released to allow the stored up energy in the spool 3I0 to rotatethe ratchet 308 in a-counter-clockwise manner until the pin 3l9 engages. the pin 2". f

A cord 309 has one It is quite evident that iftherehas been no decrease in the viscosity count from that of .the preceding count, the'pin 3I9, at the time of the release of ratchet 290 be in contact with the pin 21I, consequently, there will be no reverse movement, but if there has been any decrease, the amount of decrease will be the amount of reverse rotation which will take place when the dog 3I5 is released.

Dog- 3I5 has connected to the free end thereof a cord 325 which cord has its other end connected to the vertical leg of hell crank 326, said bell crank being mounted for oscillation around shaft 296. Secured to the end of horizontal leg of bell crank 326 is another cord 321(Figs. 10 and 12), which is connected to an armature 328. This armature is adapted to be operated bysolenoid 329 when it is desired to release ratchet 3l5 to allow itto rotate until pin 3I9engages pin 21I and cause the exact count to be registered by dial hand or indicating means 320. v

A wire 330 leads from solenoid 329 and is connected to brush 2I0, which brush is adapted to be contacted by metallic portion 209 when the cylinder 205 travels from its position shown in the drawings to a position 180 degrees therefrom. This means that. the current furnished 'to the solenoid 329 is for only a very short period which will allow dog 3l5 to be disengaged from ratchet 308 long enough to allow the pin 3I9 to engage the pin 21I in the ratchet therebelow, and then dog 3l5 will again resume its engagement to prevent any further reverse rotation.

The current is furnished to brush 201 through wire 323 and the circuit is completed by means of ground wire 324 which isconnected to'the other sideof solenoids 282, 300 and 329. This is an A. C. circuit.

e Method of operation and 210 in a clockwise manner as well as the clutch mechanism 25I, (Figs. 1'1 and 18). This rotation continues until the ball I10 has reached the lower end of tube I69 at which time a prong I65 or I66 will engage the ball and cause the shaft I" to be rotated 180. degrees. If, in the rotation of the members 268 and 210, the viscosity count for any time is not as great as the viscosity count of the preceding time, then the pin 21I will not contact the pin 3I8 in ratchet 30B; therefore, in order to cause the hand 320 secured on top of hub member 301 to move backwardly and record the proper reading, the solenoid 329 is energized as the metallic portion 209 contacts brush 2I0, thereby releasing the ratchet 308 and allowing it to move in a counter-clockwise maner until it engages the pin 21!, (Figs. 1'? and 18). At the time this pin 3I9 moves backwardly and engages the pin 21 I, the dog 290 is not disengaged but is still holding the ratchet 210. Immediately after ratchet 308 has been returned to the proper position to cause the reading to be properly shown upon dial 32I, the dog 3l5 again engages ratchet 308 and then the dog 290 is released as the metallic portion 2I2 moves beneath the brush 2I4 to cause the solenoid 300 to be energized. When a ground wire 355.

this is done, spool 216 will return thera'tchet 210 to the position shown in Figure 18, leaving the upper ratchet 308 in its proper position with the reading shown on the dial.

It is very often desired to control the viscosity of a substance which is being fed through the apparatus within certain ranges. I have, therefore, provided a pair of segmental arcs 33I and 332 (Figs. 21 and 23), and have adjustably mourrted them on the inside of the dial 32L These arcs are secured to suitable arms 333 and 334 respectively, which arms are made of any suitable in-' sulating' material, and when the arcs have been adjusted to the proper position they are fixed in this position by means of set screws 334a.

By referring to Figuresl p, 11 and 21, it is seen that these arcuate members 33l and 332 are beveled at each end andthe high portions thereof are disposed slightly-above the top of the dial 32!. The free end of indicator 320 is disposed slightly below the top of these arcuate members so that when the viscosity of the substance indicates too much or too little, the end of this hand will ride upon arcuate members 33I and 332 to complete a circuit and hence, start certain mechanisms into operation to increase or decrease the viscosity of the substance.

It is evident that a similar arrangement could be made for increasing or decreasing the pressure but only one form is shown to illustrate the practicability of the apparatus. a

Let us assume that the apparatus as shown is applied to a schematic hook-up, (Fig. 23), in

which a suitable pump 335 is placed in the feed line for forcing a suitable fluid from source 336 through the testing apparatus I43. This supply may be continuously supplied with fluid through pipe 336a which has approximately the desired viscosity.

Furthermore, let us assume that the supply 336 is of a suitable oil, or other substance such as sizing in a slasher of which it is desired to maintain arelatively constant viscosity. In order to accomplish this end, a suitable'tank 331 has been provided having a thick substance and a tank 338 has been provided having a thinner substance than the substance in the supply tank 336. The tank 331 has a line 339 connecting this tank with the tank 336 and disposed in this line is a suitable pump 360 for forcing the liquid from tank 331 to tank 336. This pumpis operated intermittently as occasion may justify by means of a motor 3. Likewise, a line 342 connects tank 338 with tank 336 and this line has a pump 343 installed therein which is operalid by motor 343.

The motor 341 has a wire 358 leading-from one side thereof which wire leads to one side of switch 352 and from the other side of switch 352 is a wire 353 which furnishes the current to said motor. Leading from the other side of motor 38! is Likewise, motor 343 has wire 35l leading therefrom which leads to one side of switch 358 and from the other side of switch 358 is wire 353 through which the current is introduced to motor 366. Thiswnotor is also grounded by wire 355. Wires 353 and 355 are connected to a suitable source of electrical energy, not shown, which may be a battery, but is preferably a source of alternating current.

The switch 352 is operated by a solenoid 360 and a spring 36! normally tends to hold the switch in an opened position when the solenoid 360 is not energized Leading from one side of solenoid 368 is a wire 362 which is connected to a battery 353, said battery being grounded as at 304. Leading from th e other side of the solenoid 368 is wire 366 which has its other end con-- nected to arcuate member 332;

It is .evident that if the viscosity is less than what is desired, the indicating means 320 will not move off of the arcuate segment 332, hence the circuit will be grounded and current will be allowed to flow from the battery 363 through the solenoid 360, wire 366, arcuate segment 332 and through the indicator 320 to ground 361. When this is done the switch 352 will be closed and current will be furnished to motor 3 to cause the pump 340 to pump thick oil from the tank 331 to supply tank 336. In succeeding counts, if the viscosity proves to be satisfactory, the hand 32!] will move in a zone between the segments 33I "and 332.

Likewise,'a solenoid 310 controls the switch 358 and has a compression spring 31! for nor-- mally holdingthe switch in open position when the solenoid is not energized. A wire 312 connects solenoid 318 with the battery 363 and another wire 313 connects the solenoid with the arcuate member 33!. If the viscosity is too great, then the indicator 320 will ride upon thearcuate member 33l to cause the switch 358 to be closed which, in turn, will start the motor 344. This will cause thin liquid to be pumped from tank 338 to the supply tank 336.

As has been stated, this is merely one illust'ration showing how the mechanism could opcrate. It is quite evident that viscosity could be regulated from the same apparatus by governing the pressure as in the case of the manufacture of rayon. Where it is not desired to change the viscosity of the liquid, that is being fed, but where a constant amount of liquid is desired to sure is varied by a mechanism of this type.

This is especially applicable in case of feeding oil to steam boilers.

In the above-described mechanism shown in @igure 23, the viscosity is kept constant and the indicating means is used for maintaining this constant viscosity.

I have shown the entire supply of the liquids being fed through the testing apparatus. It is evident, that in handling large volumes of oil, for example, a small portion of the flow of oil could bediverted through this testing apparatus which would continuously keep a check on the viscosity of theentire body of oil.

The viscosity testing means can be adapted to control any desired work-performing instrumentalities. For example, in Figure 23, pipe 333 could have a heating coil controlled by solenoid 363, and pipe 382 could have a cooling coil controlled by solenoid 315, which would supply a hot or cold liquid to the testing means automatically when the viscosity changed in the liquid passing through the testing means. i

In the case where tests as to viscosity were desired to be employed for regulating the pressure under which the substance was flowing as in spinning rayon through a spinnaret, I could have a compressorof greater capacity than required, and solenoid could ventat one rate from the compressed air tank and the solenoid could control a valve to vent as a greater rate than the first named valve. This would cause the viscosity of the material to automatically control the pressure under which it was being processed. Or, 366

and 366 could be compressors of different capacifurnish the desired pounds pressure on the material being processedn In the case of a sizing or slashing machine, solenoid 360 could control a valve to an open steam coil and solenoid 310 could control a valve to a, closed steam -coil, both coils being in the sizing vat. This would automatically con-' trol the viscosity of the sizing solution.

In the case of feeding crude oil to an oil burner} solenoid set could control a heater of one capacity-in the oil and solenoid 810 could control a heating coil of greater capacity than the first heating coil. Therefore, the tests made periodically would place one or the other of these coils in operation to maintain the crude oil at the proper temperature and therefore at the proper viscosity.

The above are a few of the uses to which my apparatus may be placed. It is therefore, quite evident that the invention embraces means for testing the viscosity of a substance and means controlled by the testing means for controlling and/or operating any desired work performing instrumentality or instrumentalities.

In the drawings and specification there has been set forth a preferred embodiment of the invention, and although specific terms are employed, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only, and not for purposes of limitation, the scope of the invention being set forth in the appended claims.

I claim:

-1. Apparatus for continuously-testing the viscosity of liquid comprising a casing, means for forcing a liquid continuously through said casing, a hollow tub mounted in said casing for rotation, said tube having a ball slidabiy confined therein, means partially closing the ends of thetube, said tube having its sidewalls slotted near its ends, a member mounted for rotation in said casing and having prongs thereon adapted to passthrough said slots, means for arresting the rotation of said tube when it has been moved approximately 180 degrees and holding it at an angle inclined to the horizontal, an electrical circuit, and means controlled by the position of said tube while at rest for completing said circuit, and means controlled by said circuit for indicating the viscosity of the liquid passing through saidcasing.

aieasse 2. Apparatus for testing a fluid as to viscosity comprising a closed casing, means for forcing a fluid continuously through said casing under pressure, means disposed within the casing for periodically taking a viscosity count of the fluid v passing through the casing, a movable indicator finger, constantly n oving means, means for connecting the movable indicator to the constantly moving means during a viscosity count, means for automatically disconnecting. the constantly movable means from the movable means upon termination of a viscosity count.

3. Apparatus for testing a fluid as to viscosity comprising a closed casing, means for forcing a fluid continuously through said casingunder pressure, means disposed within the casing for periodically taking a viscosity count of the fluid passing through the casing, a movable indicator flnger constantly moving means, means for connecting the movable indicator to the constantly moving means during a viscosity count, means for automatically disconnecting the constantly movable means from the movable means upon termination of a viscosity count, and means for holding the movable indicator in the position to which it has been moved during a viscosity count, and means operable during the next succeeding viscosity count for allowing reverse movement of the finger if the next succeeding viscosity count is not as great as the preceding viscosity count to cause the indicator to show the lower viscosity count.

4. Apparatus for testing the viscosity of a liquid comprising a closed casing having intake and exhaust ports, means for passin a liquid through said casing under pressure, means'disposed within the casing and completely im- 

